Blood pressure measurement cuff that includes an antimicrobial substance

ABSTRACT

A blood pressure measurement cuff comprising an inflatable bladder, a source of fluidic pressure in fluidic communication with the inflatable bladder, a manometer in fluidic communication with the inflatable bladder, a cover at least partially covering the inflatable bladder and comprising an antimicrobial substance, and means to place the inflatable bladder sufficiently close to a limb of a living being to allow the measurement of the blood pressure of the living being. The source of fluidic pressure can be a pump that transforms human force into fluid pressure, such as a squeezable ball pump, or a canister of compressed fluid. The manometer can include a dial display or a digital display. The cuff can further comprise a tube providing fluidic communication between the manometer and the inflatable bladder, and the tube can be 1 foot or longer. The cover can be made of a fabric coated with an antimicrobial substance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/220,641 filed on Jun. 26, 2009, the entire disclosureof which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to a blood pressure measurementcuff that includes a cover with an antimicrobial substance and a methodof using the same to measure the blood pressure of the living being.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described herein are several embodiments of a blood pressure measurementcuff that includes an antimicrobial substance, such as silver.Additionally described herein is a method of measuring the bloodpressure of a living being using the several embodiments of the bloodpressure measurement cuff.

More specifically, described herein is a blood pressure measurement cuffcomprising an inflatable bladder, a source of fluidic pressure influidic communication with the inflatable bladder, a manometer influidic communication with the inflatable bladder, a cover at leastpartially covering the inflatable bladder, the cover comprising anantimicrobial substance, and means to place the inflatable bladdersufficiently close to a limb of a living being to allow the measurementof the blood pressure of the living being. The cover can comprise afabric coated with an antimicrobial substance. The antimicrobialsubstance can be capable of emitting ions, such as silver ions, that aidin the destruction of a microbe, such as 3trimethoxysilylpropyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, hyaluronan andits derivatives, and triclosan.

The source of fluidic pressure can be a pump that transforms human forceinto fluid pressure, such as a squeezable ball pump, or a canister ofcompressed fluid. The source of fluidic pressure can be an electricpump. The manometer can comprise a dial display or a digital display.The fluidic communication between the manometer and the inflatablebladder can be a tube having a length of greater than 1 foot. The sourceof fluidic pressure and the manometer can be housed under the samehousing and, in such cases, can incorporate a wireless transmitter towirelessly transmit the recorded blood pressure data to an electronicmedical records (EMR) database. The surface of the source of fluidicpressure and the manometer can comprise an antimicrobial substance.

The cover can comprise a monometer receiver and the monometer cancomprise means to releasably attach the monometer to the monometerreceiver. The receiver can comprise a loop and the means to releasablyattach the monometer to the receiver can comprise a spring tension clipthat can be clipped to the loop. The receiver can comprise loops and themeans to releasably attach the monometer to the receiver can comprisehooks (or vice-versa), to form a hook and loop fastening system.

The cover can further comprise a second receiver and an attachment zone.In such a case, the means to place the inflatable bladder sufficientlyclose to a limb of a living being to allow the measurement of the bloodpressure of the living being comprises the second receiver and theattachment zone, wherein second receiver is adapted to be removablyattached to the attachment zone. For example, the second receiver cancomprise loops and the attachment zone can comprise hooks (orvice-versa). Alternatively, the second receiver can comprise a belt witha hole and the attachment zone can comprise a rod capable of fittingthrough the hole.

Additionally described herein is a method of measuring the bloodpressure of a living being comprising the steps of (a) presenting aliving being comprising a limb, (b) presenting an embodiment of theblood pressure measurement cuff described above (comprising aninflatable bladder), (c) placing the inflatable bladder sufficientlyclose to a limb of a living being to allow the measurement of the bloodpressure of the living being, and (d) measuring the blood pressure ofthe living being.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of one embodiment of a blood pressuremeasurement cuff 10;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the bloodpressure measurement cuff 10 and a perspective view of a monometer 26with a spring tensioned clip 40;

FIG. 3A depicts a perspective view of the presentation of a living being60 comprising a limb 46 and the presentation of one embodiment of ablood pressure measurement cuff 10 comprising an inflatable bladder 12;

FIG. 3B depicts a perspective view of the placement of the inflatablebladder 12 sufficiently close to the limb 46 to allow the measurement ofthe blood pressure of the living being 60;

FIG. 4A depicts a perspective view of the presentation of a living being60 comprising a limb 46 and the presentation of a second embodiment of ablood pressure measurement cuff 10 comprising an inflatable bladder 12;and

FIG. 4B depicts a perspective view of the placement of the inflatablebladder 12 sufficiently close to the limb 46 to allow the measurement ofthe blood pressure of the living being 60.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expresslystate otherwise.

In a first embodiment, a blood pressure measurement cuff 10 (FIG. 1)comprises an inflatable bladder 12, a source of fluidic pressure 18 influidic communication with the inflatable bladder 12, a manometer 26 influidic communication with the inflatable bladder 12, a cover 32 atleast partially covering the inflatable bladder 12, and means to placethe inflatable bladder 12 sufficiently close to a limb 46 of a livingbeing to allow the measurement of the blood pressure of the livingbeing.

The inflatable bladder 12 can be made of any elastomeric material. Theinflatable bladder 12 can have a first side 14 and a second side 16. Fora cuff 10 used on an arm of a normally sized adult, the first side 14can be approximately 5 inches long and the second side 16 can beapproximately 11.8 inches. For a cuff 10 used on an arm of a largeadult, the first side 14 can be approximately 6.1 inches long and thesecond side 16 can be approximately 15.4 inches. For a cuff 10 used onan arm of a small adult, the first side 14 can be approximately 4 incheslong and the second side 16 can be 8.9 inches. For a cuff 10 used on anarm of a child, the first side 14 can be approximately 3.1 inches andthe second side 16 can be approximately 6.1 inches. For a cuff 10 usedon a thigh of a normally sized adult, the first side 14 can beapproximately 7.9 inches and the second side 16 can be approximately16.9 inches.

The source of fluidic pressure 18 can be a pump that transforms humanforce into fluid pressure, such as a squeezable ball pump 20.Alternatively, the source of fluidic pressure 18 can be a canister ofcompressed fluid 22. The compressed fluid 22 can be a gas such as carbondioxide, nitrogen, or air. Alternatively, the source of fluidic pressure18 can be a regulated wall source 24, such as a hospital room walloutlet of compressed air. The source of fluidic pressure 18 can be anelectric powered pump, such as a rechargeable battery powered pump. Tube27 can provide the fluidic communication between the source of fluidicpressure 18 and the inflatable bladder 12.

The manometer 26 in fluidic communication with the inflatable bladder 12can be a sphygmomanometer. A tube 28 can provide the fluidiccommunication between the manometer 26 and the inflatable bladder 12.The tube 28 can be greater than 1 foot in length, to allow the user tohold the manometer 26 closer to the user's eyes when the inflatablebladder 12 is sufficiently close to a limb of a living being to allowthe measurement of the blood pressure of the living being, which willaid the user in reading the manometer 26 display of the measuredpressure. The manometer 26 measures and displays the fluid pressureexerted in the fluid communication volume between the source of fluidicpressure 18 and the manometer 26, including the tubes 27 and 28 andinflatable bladder 12. The manometer 26 can incorporate a dial displayas shown in FIG. 1 to display the measured pressure or a digitaldisplay.

The source of fluidic pressure 18 and the manometer 26 can be housedunder the same housing. An example is the LifeSource® UA-851THW by A&DMedical (San Jose, Calif.). In such an embodiment, the source of fluidicpressure 18 can be electric powered (such as with a rechargeablebattery) and the manometer 26 can have a digital display. Further, thehousing can further house a wireless transmitter 66 to transmit bloodpressure measurements to transmit the measurements to an electronicmedical records (EMR) system, such as those provided by Cerner (KansasCity, Mo.) and Epic (Verona, Wis.).

Blood pressure measurement cuff 10 can further comprise a relief valve30. As the user allows the pressure from the source of fluidic pressure18 to travel through tube 28 to inflatable bladder 12, the inflatablebladder 12 inflates, assuming relief valve 30 is in a closed position.The user can deflate the inflatable bladder 12 by manipulating therelief valve 30 to an open position.

A cover 32 at least partially covers the inflatable bladder 12. Cover 32can comprise opening 34 to allow for the tubes 27 and 28 to providefluidic communication to the inflatable bladder 12. An insert 62 can beplaced within the cover 32 near the first edge 64 of the cover. Theinsert 62 allows the user to more easily manipulate the cover 32,especially when wrapping the cover 32 around the limb 46 of a livingbeing 60.

Cover 32 comprises an antimicrobial substance 36. The cover 32 can be afabric coated with an antimicrobial substance 36. For example, the cover32 can be a fabric sprayed with Microguard® (by Microguard, Olivet,France), which is liquid solution containing hydrophilic polymers. Asanother example, cover 32 could incorporate Microban® antimicrobialplastic additive available from Microban International. The cover 32 canbe a fabric sprayed with AEGIS Microbe Shield™ (from Aegis Environments,Midland, Mich.), which is copolymer of chloropropyltrihydroxysilane andoctadecylaminodimethyltrihydroxysilylpropyl ammonium chloride. Otherantimicrobial substances 36 include 3trimethoxysilylpropyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, hyaluronan andits derivatives, triclosan, and an organosilicon antimicrobial that issubstantially free from arsenic, silver, tin, heavy metals andpolychlorinated phenols. The antimicrobial substance 36 could be copperor a silver-ion emitter. One silver-ion emitter is Germ-Gate™ (fromBovie Screen Process Co., Inc., Bow, N.H.), which is a nano particlesilver based, liquid coating that can be coated onto a fabric. Anothersilver-ion emitter is Protex^(AG) (from Carolina Silver Technologies,North Carolina), which is silver-based coating that can be coated ontofabric. Yet other silver-ion emitting coatings are those available fromCovalon Technologies, Ltd. of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Agion®antimicrobial coating available from Agion Technologies Ltd. ofWakefield, Mass., and Zeolite carrying silver, Model No. XDK101available from Xiamen Xindakang Inorganic Materials Co., Ltd. Inaddition, silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate may be used as theantimicrobial substance 36. Alternate antimicrobial materials may beused that are tolerant of appropriate cleaning and sterility methods. Anexample of which is zirconium phosphate such as Model No. XDK801available from Xiamen Xindakang Inorganic Materials Co., Ltd. In generalterms, an antimicrobial substance is capable of emitting ions that aidin the destruction of a microbe.

The surface of the source of fluidic pressure 18, the manometer 26, andall tubes 27/28 can further comprise an antimicrobial substance 36, aswell.

Cover 32 can further include a monometer receiver 38 (FIG. 2). Themonometer 26 can comprise means to releasably attach the monometer tothe monometer receiver 38. If the monometer receiver 38 is a loop ofmaterial, such as that shown at FIG. 2, such means could include a clip40, which is a spring tensioned clip so that as the user presses thefirst end 42 towards the body of the monometer 26, the second end 44extends away from the body of the monometer 26. When the second end 44is extended away from the body of the monometer 26, the user can placethe second end 44 in the space between monometer receiver 38 and cover32 and, then, release the first end 42 of the clip 40 to cause thesecond end 44 to retract and thus clipping the monometer 26 to themonometer receiver 38.

An alternative means to releasably attach the monometer to the monometerreceiver 38 could include the monometer receiver 38 comprising a fabricof loops and the monometer 26 comprising a fabric of hooks (orvice-versa). The loops can releasably attach to the hooks.

The cover 32 can further comprise a second receiver (such as fabric ofloops 48 (FIG. 3A)) and an attachment zone (such as fabric of hooks 50).The means to place the inflatable bladder 12 sufficiently close to alimb 46 of a living being 60 to allow the measurement of the bloodpressure of the living being 60 can comprise the second receiver and theattachment zone. The second receiver is adapted to be removably attachedto the attachment zone. For example, the second receiver can be a fabricof loops 48, while the attachment zone can be a fabric of hooks 50 (orvice-versa), and thus the loops 48 of the second receiver can releasablyattach to the hooks 50 of the attachment zone and thereby place theinflatable bladder 12 sufficiently close to the limb 46 to allow themeasurement of the blood pressure, as shown in FIG. 3B. As anotherexample, the second receiver can be a belt 52 (FIG. 4A) with holes 54,while the attachment zone can be a belt loop 56 and a rod 58, which iscapable of fitting through one of the holes 54. The user can feed thebelt 52 through the belt loop 56 and insert rod 58 into one of the holes54 and thereby place the inflatable bladder 12 sufficiently close to thelimb 46 to allow the measurement of the blood pressure, as shown in FIG.4B.

As a method of measuring the blood pressure of a living being, the usercould (a) present a living being comprising a limb 46; (b) present anembodiment of the blood pressure measurement cuff 10 described abovehaving an inflatable bladder 12; (c) place the inflatable bladder 12sufficiently close to the limb 46 to allow the measurement of the bloodpressure of the living being 60; and (d) measure the blood pressure ofthe living being 60. The blood pressure measurement cuff 10 furthercomprises a source of fluidic pressure 18 in fluidic communication withthe inflatable bladder 12, a manometer 26 in fluidic communication withthe inflatable bladder 12, a cover 32 at least partially covering theinflatable bladder 12 and comprising an antimicrobial substance 36, andmeans to place the inflatable bladder 12 sufficiently close to the limb46 of the living being 60 to allow the measurement of the blood pressureof the living being 60. The cover 32 could be a fabric coated with anantimicrobial substance 26, such as a silver-ion emitter.

To place the inflatable bladder 12 sufficiently close to the limb 46 toallow measurement of the blood pressure of the living being 60, the usercould attach fabric of loops 48 to fabric of hooks 50 (FIGS. 3A, 3B) orattach belt 52 with holes 54 to belt loop 56 with rod 58 (FIGS. 4A, 4B),as explained above. That way, the cover 32 surrounds the limb 46 andpushes the inflatable bladder 12 close enough to the limb 46 to allowthe measurement of the blood pressure of the living being 60. The usermeasures the blood pressure of the living being 60 in the way known inthe art, reading the manometer 26. A wireless transmitter 66 cantransmit the measured blood pressure to an EMR system.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodimentsonly. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in theart and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it isunderstood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and describedabove are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit thescope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims asinterpreted according to the principles of patent law, including thedoctrine of equivalents.

1. A blood pressure measurement cuff comprising: an inflatable bladder;a source of fluidic pressure in fluidic communication with theinflatable bladder; a manometer in fluidic communication with theinflatable bladder; a cover at least partially covering the inflatablebladder; the cover comprising an antimicrobial substance; and means toplace the inflatable bladder sufficiently close to a limb of a livingbeing to allow the measurement of the blood pressure of the livingbeing.
 2. The blood pressure measurement cuff of claim 1, the source offluidic pressure comprising a pump that transforms human force intofluid pressure.
 3. The blood pressure measurement cuff of claim 1, thesource of fluidic comprising a canister of compressed fluid.
 4. Theblood pressure measurement cuff of claim 1, the manometer comprising adial display.
 5. The blood pressure measurement cuff of claim 1, themanometer comprising a digital display.
 6. The blood pressuremeasurement cuff of claim 1 further comprising a tube providing fluidiccommunication between the manometer and the inflatable bladder, the tubecomprising a first length, the first length being greater than 1 foot.7. The blood pressure measurement cuff of claim 1, the cover comprisinga fabric coated with an antimicrobial substance.
 8. The blood pressuremeasurement cuff of claim 7, the antimicrobial substance comprising asilver-ion emitter.
 9. The blood pressure measurement cuff of claim 7,the antimicrobial substance comprising any one of 3trimethoxysilylpropyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, hyaluronan andits derivatives, triclosan, or a copolymer ofchloropropyltrihydroxysilane andoctadecylaminodimethyltrihydroxysilylpropyl ammonium chloride.
 10. Theblood pressure measurement cuff of claim 7, the antimicrobial substancecapable of emitting ions that aid in the destruction of a microbe. 11.The blood pressure measurement cuff of claim 1, the cover comprising amonometer receiver and the monometer comprising means to releasablyattach the monometer to the monometer receiver.
 12. The blood pressuremeasurement cuff of claim 11, the receiver comprising a loop and themeans to releasably attach the monometer to the receiver comprising aspring tension clip.
 13. The blood pressure measurement cuff of claim11, the receiver comprising loops and the means to releasably attach themonometer to the receiver comprising hooks.
 14. The blood pressuremeasurement cuff of claim 1, the cover further comprising a secondreceiver and an attachment zone, and the means to place the inflatablebladder sufficiently close to a limb of a living being to allow themeasurement of the blood pressure of the living being comprising thesecond receiver and the attachment zone, wherein second receiver isadapted to be removably attached to the attachment zone.
 15. The bloodpressure measurement cuff of claim 14, the second receiver comprisingloops and the attachment zone comprising hooks.
 16. The blood pressuremeasurement cuff of claim 14, the second receiver comprising a beltcomprising a hole and the attachment zone comprising a rod capable offitting through the hole.
 17. The blood pressure measurement cuff ofclaim 7, further comprising a housing that houses both the source offluidic pressure and the manometer and the housing further comprises awireless transmitter and an antimicrobial substance, wherein themanometer comprises a digital display, the source of fluidic pressure iselectric powered, and the wireless transmitter is capable oftransmitting blood pressure measurement data to an electric medicalrecords system.
 18. A method of measuring the blood pressure of a livingbeing comprising the steps of: a. presenting a living being comprising alimb; b. presenting a blood pressure measurement cuff comprising: aninflatable bladder; a source of fluidic pressure in fluidiccommunication with the inflatable bladder; a manometer in fluidiccommunication with the inflatable bladder; a cover at least partiallycovering the inflatable bladder; the cover comprising an antimicrobialsubstance; and means to place the inflatable bladder sufficiently closeto the limb of the living being to allow the measurement of the bloodpressure of the living being; and c. placing the inflatable bladdersufficiently close to the limb of a living being to allow themeasurement of the blood pressure of the living being; and d. measuringthe blood pressure of the living being.
 19. The method of claim 18, thecover comprising a fabric coated with an antimicrobial substance. 20.The method of claim 19, the antimicrobial substance comprising asilver-ion emitter.